The Indonesian government will confiscate a Metallica guitar that was a gift to the heavy metal-loving governor of the capital Jakarta due to concerns about corruption, an official said on Tuesday.
A beaming Joko Widodo appeared on TV earlier this month strumming the maroon bass guitar that had belonged to the US band’s Robert Trujillo and was a gift from a concert promoter.
But following the TV appearance, the popular governor voluntarily handed the guitar, which bore the words “Giving Back! ... Keep Playin’ That Cool Funky Bass!”, to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Following an investigation into the instrument, in line with rules about gifts to officials, the commission said on Tuesday the government will confiscate the instrument.
“The KPK has investigated and decided that the guitar will be confiscated by the government as there is a conflict of interest which could potentially lead to bribery,” commission official Giri Supradiyono said.
“It will be state property.”
